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DATES THIS MONTH
May 23
Food security 2012 - taking forward the Foresight project Global Food and Farming Futures
May 23
1 Day soil and water Management workshop
May 30
Midlands Soil Discussion Group Meeting
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Welcome to the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists Pages
The Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS) is the professional body of the British Society of Soil Science and aims to promote and enhance the status of soil science and allied disciplines.
Together with the British Society of Soil Science our aims are:
- Improving soil education and developing soil scientists
- Supporting standards of practice
- Promoting the use of soil science
The IPSS is lead by a Committee which overseas the governance and running of the professional body in accordance with the terms of reference.
Latest Events
1 Day soil and water Management workshop
May 23
Effective soils and water management are essential in order to optimise crop yields and yield quality and soil functionality for sustainable, profitable UK food production. This one day course provides a consise technical overview of key factors pertinent to effective soil and water management as well as practical demonstrations of soil properties conducive to and constraining effective water management.
Midlands Soil Discussion Group Meeting
May 30
Rather than inviting everyone to give an overview of their research (as was the case last time), we wish to invite presentations on two themes and suggest that these should be of 20-30 minutes in length to provide more time for presenters.
The two themes are:
1. Novel, soil-related technologies/instruments (you use at your institution) - the idea being to show what soil science can be undertaken using the specialist equipment operated by you/your institution
2. Case studies of Soil Science relating to the soils of the Midlands region
Registration fees: Members Free, Non-Members £5
SSDG: A UK network of Regionally Important Soils
June 12
This event hosted by the Scottish Agricultural College (Kings Buildings, Edinburgh) is being held to discuss the development of a network of soils sites across the UK, based on the RIGS (Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites) approach. BSSS has been in discussion with staff from Natural England and several other organisations in the development of this concept, and it is time to hold discussions with stakeholders in Scotland (both members and non-members of BSSS). The discussions will focus around the following topics:
- The implementation of the RIGS approach in the identification and designation of sites;
- Locations of potential sites to be included in the network;
- The maintenance, use and publicity of a soils network across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Enhancing Biodiversity through Soil Management
June 13
This is a joint meeting between the Society and the INstitute of Ecology and Environmental Management.
Soils are at the heart of healthy functioning terrestrial ecosystems and have an important role to play in maintaining biodiversity yet they are often overlooked or poorly understood by environmental practitioners. Opportunities to manage soils effectively in order to enhance biodiversity above and below ground can be missed.
This conference will increase our understanding of soil ecology, the ecosystem services benefits of soils and how the management and restoration of soils can achieve better outcomes for biodiversity. Finally delegates will hear how the concept of ‘Soil Reserves’ has been put forward as a means of raising society’s awareness of the importance of soils to effective conservation.
EJSS Photographic Competion entry deadline
June 30
Deadline for entries into the 2012 Photo competition is the 30th June 2012.
Pictures should be a collection of three or four images, which encompass the theme of “Soil Science”. They should be an inspiring ensemble which tells the story of how research is improving our understanding of soil in all its different modes. The image collections could comprise, for example, pictures of soils in the field, laboratory, teaching/ learning environments, or any combination thereof. The image sets should follow the current layout of the European Journal of Soil Science covers.
The competition winners will be announced at the Society Meeting in September. There is a cash prize for the winner and the runners-up. Winning images may be selected for future covers of the European Journal of Soil Science, plus a professional print of their photograph.
How to Enter
Please send your completed form and entry photographs to admin@soils.org.uk with the subject line “EJSS Photo Competition”
4th International Congress Eurosoil 2012
July 2 — July 6
Annual Meeting 2012: Soil Science and Food Security
September 4 — September 5
The 2012 annual meeting of the British Society of Soil Science will be hosted by the University of Nottingham. The meeting will focus on the required contributions and potential opportunities for soil science with respect to Global Food Security. The forecasted increasingly variable weather patterns will influence the environment and its ability to support sustainable food production. Major challenges include water scarcity, a decrease availability of key inputs to food production, managing carbon and differing local impacts of climate change. Soil science is at the heart of all these issues. The meeting will consist of two days with four sessions strongly related to the main theme and a an un-themed session where presentations from any aspect of soil science are encouraged.
Prizes will be awarded to the best student presentation at the conference
This 2 day meeting will invite oral and poster abstracts under the following themes:
- soil management and crop production
- soil protection, conservation and remediation
- managing soil science and climate change
- Open session
Latest news
The Death of British Farmland?
Yesterday’s meeting of the Cross Party House of Common’s Agroecology Group discussed the potential for soil management practices to influence the future of farming in the UK. The session was chaired by Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer and co hosted by the Food Ethics Council.
Professor Mark Kibblewhite, Chair of Soil Science at Cranfield University, kicked off the session by scene setting the romantic attachment we have with soils - the smell of light rain on dry earth on a warm summers evening...
Soils fundamental to the future of mankind
The British Society of Soil Science today co-hosted Earth Under Pressure: Maximising the value of soils at The Planet Under Pressure conference with the James Hutton Institute, Rothamsted Research and UNEP. Society President, Dr Helaina Black, introduced the session saying "there is an obvious but neglected opportunity to tackle many of the world's pressing environmental issues by improving soil quality globally".
Highlights
- Poverty is the biggest cause of soil degradation in the Himalayan region of India. This is driven by small-holdings, less technical know-how and poor take up of new approaches. (Dr Vikas Sharma).
- Most soil data is over 20 years old and not joined up. Dr Neil McKenzie, CSIRO Land and Water said "Scratching around at our current evidence base (on soils) is frankly embarrassing." Soil data is needed to address food and water security, carbon storage and other challenges faces mankind. There is a need to regularly monitor global soil conditions and the indications from most regions show that the warning signs are serious. This requires regular assessments: mapping, monitoring and forecasting. We need to rebuild the technical capability for surveying soil so that we can make regular reviews of soil quality, just as the IPCC does with the greenhouse gas inventory.
- Prof Diana Wall, Colorado State University "What matters is food webs, not just biodiversity." The function of organisms is much more important than just assessing numbers. Plant roots offer considerable untapped potential to harness more soil to address yield gaps. Prof Peter Gregory said "This is an exciting time to be a soil scientist" as they now have new opportunities in genetics and analytical sciences to understand how plants function and interact with their environment.
Science Council answers call to develop the technician workforce in the UK
A report published today by the Technician Council indicates an alarming skills gap between the current number of technicians in the UK and the 450,000 that will be needed by 2020 to underpin a growing innovation economy and the report calls on government, public sector employers, industry leaders and professional bodies.
The Science Council has answered the call by establishing a new professional register for science technicians, finally embracing technicians within the professional science community. Workforce research published in September showed that 20% of the UK workforce - some 5.8million people - are now employed in science based roles in the UK economy and that this is expected to increase to 7.1m in 2030: of this work force, about one-third are non-graduates working with science skills in a variety of ways and many of these will be highly skilled technicians.
Features:
Soils fundamental to the future of mankind
The British Society of Soil Science today co-hosted Earth Under Pressure: Maximising the value of soils at The Planet Under Pressure conference with the James Hutton Institute, Rothamsted Research and UNEP. Society President, Dr Helaina Black, introduced the session saying "there is an obvious but neglected opportunity to tackle many of the world's pressing environmental issues by improving soil quality globally".
Highlights
- Poverty is the biggest cause of soil degradation in the Himalayan region of India. This is driven by small-holdings, less technical know-how and poor take up of new approaches. (Dr Vikas Sharma).
- Most soil data is over 20 years old and not joined up. Dr Neil McKenzie, CSIRO Land and Water said "Scratching around at our current evidence base (on soils) is frankly embarrassing." Soil data is needed to address food and water security, carbon storage and other challenges faces mankind. There is a need to regularly monitor global soil conditions and the indications from most regions show that the warning signs are serious. This requires regular assessments: mapping, monitoring and forecasting. We need to rebuild the technical capability for surveying soil so that we can make regular reviews of soil quality, just as the IPCC does with the greenhouse gas inventory.
- Prof Diana Wall, Colorado State University "What matters is food webs, not just biodiversity." The function of organisms is much more important than just assessing numbers. Plant roots offer considerable untapped potential to harness more soil to address yield gaps. Prof Peter Gregory said "This is an exciting time to be a soil scientist" as they now have new opportunities in genetics and analytical sciences to understand how plants function and interact with their environment.
Planet Under Pressure 2012
The British Society of Soil Science will co-host the soils session at The Planet Under Pressure conference on Tuesday 27th March, where world renowned scientists will debate the opportunities to maximise the benefits from soils for society now and in 100 years. The Society's President, Helaina Black, says "there is an obvious but neglected opportunity to tackle many of the world's pressing environmental issues by improving soil quality globally. We hope that the RIO20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development will grasp this opportunity".
EJSS Photographic Competition
This year's EJSS Photographic competition 1st prize was split equally between Dr O Knox and Dr Mataix-Solera for their collections entitled "Vertisols of the slopes and plains" and "The colours of the age" respectivly. 2nd prize went to Dr Louhelainen for his collection archeological inspired pictures.Thank you to all who entered this years competition - don't forget to get snapping for next years entries!
Society Awards: Dr Rob Parkinson
Dr Rob Parkinson, University of Plymouth, was presented with a long service award by Society president Dr Helaina Black. Rob has been an integral part of the Society Council and the South West regional group for more years than he would like me to mention. Thank you for all your help and support over the years.
Society Awards: Dr Bob Rees
Dr Bob Rees, SAC was given a long service award at the recent Society Conference dinner. The award was accepted by Christine Watson on behalf of Bob. Bob has been a member of the BSSS Council and heavily involved with the Society for more than 12 years. Thank you for all your hard work Bob!
Society Awards: Prof. Keith Smith
Margaret Oliver accepted a long service and outstanding contribution award on behalf of Professor Keith Smith. Keith is a past president of the Society and most recently deputy Editor of the European Journal of Soil Science. Keith you will be missed as part of the EJSS editorial team thank you for your many many years of service to the Society.
IPSS Launch Working with Soils
Defra Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr Miles Parker, helped launch Working with Soil. Devised by the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS), this new professional competency scheme identifies minimum qualifications, skills and knowledge for practising soils scientists carrying out a range of key tasks. Miles stated that 'Defra welcomes initiatives, such as the IPSS Working with Soils Competency Statements, that aim to improve the quality of professional soils advice'.
Annual Meeting 2011
Thank you to all of you that attended our 2011 meeting this week in London and made it such a success. More pictures will follow shortly on the Society Facebook pages.
Soil Profile: Professor Keith Goulding FI Soil Sci, CSci
Works for: Rothamsted Research
Education: BSc Chemistry and Mathematics (Exeter University)
MSc in Soil Chemistry (University of Reading)
PhD in ion exchange in soil (Imperial College, London)
Personal Interests: bird watching, walking
Burning Ambition: Another academic paper published in Nature
Soil Profile:Mr Padraic Mulroy MI Soil Sci, CSci
Works for: Mulroy Environmental
Education: B.Sc. (Microbiology), NUI Galway
M.Sc., University of Florida (Soil and Water Science)
Personal interests: sports (rowing, rugby, sailing), reading historic novels
Burning Ambition: Secure the future of my company
Soil Profile: Mr Tim O'Hare MI Soil Sci, CSci
Works for: Tim O'Hare Associates
Education: BSc Geography, Masters in Pedology, Soil Survey and Land Evaluation at Redding University
Personal interests: Family and sport. Running, triathlons, surfing, rugby.
Eurosoil 2012 Call for abstracts
The 4th International congress of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), 2-6 July 2012 Bari, Italy. Call for Abstracts
© IPSS 2011
The Institute of Professional Soil Scientists is a trading name of the British Society of Soil Science which is a limited company, registered in England and Wales and a Registered Charity No. 1134456.